LEXINGTON, Ky. — Deportations of people arrested by immigration authorities in Kentucky have surged dramatically under President Donald Trump's second term, with federal officials removing more than three-quarters of those arrested compared to roughly 42% during the final years of the Biden administration, according to newly released data analyzed by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting.

The analysis of data from the Deportation Data Project, obtained through public records requests, shows that approximately 3,500 arrests were made by ICE sub-offices in Louisville and Bowling Green between Trump's inauguration and March 10, 2026. That figure nearly equals the total arrests made during the final two years and three months of the Biden administration, highlighting the intensification of enforcement operations.

The Louisville and Bowling Green ICE offices are associated with more than 250 arrests per month for most of Trump's current term, compared to only three months during Biden's final two years when arrests exceeded 200.

Local immigration attorneys say the shift is unmistakable. "The federal immigration enforcement landscape is dramatically different than in years past," said Duffy Trager, an immigration lawyer in Louisville. Trager reported that he frequently hears from people arrested when attending appointments required by federal immigration cases and receives calls from mothers with no criminal history facing deportation.

Sylvia Quaye, another Louisville immigration attorney, described tactics she has witnessed, saying ICE has arrested people as they take their children to school or at their jobs. "It's gone from bad to worse," she said.

The data reveals another significant shift: the composition of those arrested. More than 8% of Kentucky-based arrests under Trump involved people with no criminal history, facing only civil immigration violations, compared to 38% during Biden's tenure. More than half of those arrested under Trump had criminal convictions, though the data does not specify the offense types.

At least 75% of Kentucky arrests under Trump qualify as custodial arrests, meaning individuals were transferred to ICE custody from jails or prisons where they were initially incarcerated. However, at least 22% are street arrests occurring in communities.

Federal immigration officials have disputed the accuracy of the data, with an unidentified ICE spokesperson stating that "The Deportation Data Project relies on information releases that have not been reviewed, audited or given context."

In Kentucky, 24 local law enforcement agencies have signed 287(g) agreements with ICE, allowing them to perform immigration enforcement functions. Additionally, 11 county jails are contracting with ICE to hold detainees, generating revenue through per-diem payments for each immigrant held.